Windies skipper saves face

WHILE the South Africans claimed a decided advantage with a new record score of 561 in their first innings against West Indies in the first Test match being contested at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on Saturday, skipper Brian Lara produced another majestic batting performance to restore pride and lead his team beyond the follow-on mark of 361 at the close of play yesterday. Lara registered his 23rd Test century and his first against South Africa. He was undefeated on a magnificent 178 which was studded with two sixes and 28 fours and his heroic batting performance saved West Indies the ignominy of being inserted for a second time and the challenge of saving face.

Lara’s century which puts him one behind the great Sir Viv Richards, now see him needing three more to equal idol and legendary Sir Gary Sobers’ all-time West Indian maximum  tally of 26. Lara entered his name in the record books with the world Test record of maximum runs in one over when he smashed left-arm spinner Robin Peterson for 28 runs in the day’s penultimate over. Lara’s hammered Peterson for 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4 (28). The left-handed batting maestro featured in a new fourth wicket partnership with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (35), together adding  135 to erase the previous best 126, between Carl Hooper (44) and Chanderpaul (74) at that same venue in the first innings of the First Test in 1998.